When the Green Bay Packers entered mid-June with a roster that was nearly set, one familiar name continued to be mentioned as a potential late-summer addition who could provide a significant boost to the defense.
The Packers have invested heavily in the defense during free agency and the draft.
With the defensive coordinator tasked with overhauling the unit last year, the foundation for improvement has been laid.
However, even with several rookies in the defense, there is still room to add experienced players — especially at edge rusher.
A proven weapon late in the season.
Last season, Von Miller joined the team in September and made his debut in Week 4. Despite the late start, the veteran pass rusher led the team with 8.5 successful pressures, delivering exactly the type of disruptive force the Packers needed in obvious passing situations.
His contribution came at a critical time, providing a spark for a defense that struggled for much of the season.
Both sides expressed interest in working together as the season progressed. Miller expressed his desire to play for the Packers, while Packers leadership publicly stated they would welcome him.
Von Miller, now in his 16th NFL season, has also been clear about his wishes. In December, he expressed his desire to participate in training camp with a team rather than joining mid-season.
That stance appears to have created a temporary standoff with the Packers, who are focused on evaluating their current roster through offseason workouts (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp before heading into full training camp.
The August Reunion Scenario
Despite the current silence, a reunion remains a realistic possibility. On a local Green Bay podcast, a reporter outlined a plausible timeline:
“I think it probably comes down to Von Miller, and once Miller realizes he needs to do his job on August 25th and calls his agent, then gets a deal done, it will happen. He’s not the type to just show up to training camp. He’s earned that… He’ll call his agent on August 25th and if the Packers are looking for a proven pass rusher, bringing him in at that point would make a lot of sense.”
This approach fits with how the Packers have operated in the past and aligns with their current strategy of entering training camp with a defined roster to thoroughly evaluate internal options first.
Strategic Fit and NFC North Implications
Bringing in Miller on a short-term, performance-based contract would give the Packers a veteran, proven pass rusher to deploy in specific situations without disrupting the development of younger edge defenders.
At this stage in his career, Miller’s value lies in his ability to create problems for opposing quarterbacks in targeted situations — exactly the role he performed effectively last season.
For a Packers defense aiming to compete in the NFC North, adding a player capable of 8+ pressures in limited playing time is a high-upside, low-risk insurance policy.
If the team determines during training camp or the preseason that they need additional edge support, Miller becoming a free agent makes him an ideal target.
As the NFC North prepares for another competitive season, the possibility of Miller landing in Green Bay only adds to the intrigue.
A defense that struggled last year could look very different with the late addition of a proven pass-rush specialist.
For now, the Packers will evaluate their current situation. But by late August, if the right opportunity arises, history could repeat itself — with Von Miller once again finding a new home in Green Bay.
